Kicking Off The New Year In Style: My Office Tour…and a Giveaway!

I spent a solid 10 years of my life sitting in other people’s offices…never feeling like the surroundings really reflected who I was.

And, that was totally fair — after all, I was getting paid to show up and do a job! The thing is, I’d always dreamed of having my own space. In the ideal scenario, I wanted somewhere that fit my personal taste and made me excited to get out of bed every day (even on Mondays and the occasional weekend).

At the same time, my practical side kicked in — I didn’t want to go into massive debt just for the sake of having a pretty space. No matter who you are, that’s just a terrible business move! So, I waited it out, working from an extra room at home…until the perfect spot landed in my lap during the Fall. I moved in November 1st and quickly got to work making the surroundings feel relaxed but stylized and documented the process in Anatomy Of An Office.

Thanks for virtually joining me as the space came together over these last few months. Now, it’s time to kick off the new year in style and help YOU pull your own space together. Scroll down to the bottom of this post to enter an awesome $200.00 giveaway courtesy of UncommonGoods! They have a ton of great home and office items so you can put the perfect finishing touches on your space!

The Tour

Let’s start with a good ol’ before and after. As these things usually go, I didn’t get many great before shots. I came in, took a quick tour, came back a week later when the construction was finished, signed the lease and moved in. Both of these shots were taken from the entrance, just at slightly different angles. The main differences between the shots: the old popcorn-textured ceiling was removed, plywood sheets were installed for the flooring, window casings were built in and the brick wall to the left was painted white.

It’s time to move onto the desk area. I already had a spare desk and an Aeron chair from my old office so I kept those around. My desk area has a massive set of windows directly behind it which is great for a dose of natural light.

I’m all about having a tidy surface and clean off my desk every night before I leave. It’s almost like I’m giving myself a clean slate for the morning. Each morning, I walk in, plug in my space heater (old brick buildings are COLD!), set down my cup of coffee and light a candle. It’s nice to have those little rituals to start your day.

I also have an affirmation from Kikki K taped to my computer. It’s a good reminder that even when the unexpected things hit (because they always do!), a positive attitude will go a long way.

I’m really big on matching office supplies. As soon as I signed the lease on my new space, I ordered orange goodies from Poppin. Their stuff is super solid and comes in tons of punchy colors. And of course, an eccentric pencil holder is a must!

Moving on, directly behind my desk is a bookshelf I’ve had for a decade. All of my design books and reference magazines and catalogs are housed in it by color.

On the white brick wall next to the bookshelf, I have a large inspiration board. This is my view when I glance over to the right side of my desk. If you missed the DIY, you can build your own by following these steps!

Moving down from the inspiration board along the edge of the white wall, there’s two orange chairs divided by a round yellow table. My brother is the ultimate thrifter and found these chairs for $40.00 each at a swap meet somewhere in California. I’m really big on the necessities not being ugly — this garbage can holds a lot but isn’t an eyesore.

Moving to the opposite side of the room, I have a row of built-in shelving that allows me to change out the artwork. It’s built out of door frame trim and you can make your own here! I usually have a mix of coffee table books, records and inspirational sayings rounding out the mix.

Directly below the shelving is a white credenza — this is where all the basics are nicely hidden including dishes, props, a scanner, wacom tablet and extra supplies.

I picked up a bunch of yellow cardboard storage boxes from IKEA to hold things like art supplies, Pantone books and candles. It’s a simple way to keep the clutter contained.

To Enter

Pssst! Need some ideas? They have THOUSANDS of items to peruse including handmade / personalized / gift options here, here and here.

The fine print: Contest is open to everyone over the age of 18 worldwide. You have until 11:59pm PST on Friday, January 9th, 2015 to enter. One winner will be chosen at random. Use a current email address when you leave your comment so I can contact you! Once contacted, you will have one week to respond and claim your prize. The prize may not be exchanged or transferred and no cash alternative will be offered. Liability cannot be accepted for entries which are lost in transit or not received due to technical difficulties. My decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. No purchase necessary.

Good luck….and happy new year!

Special thanks to UncommonGoods for sponsoring this giveaway. All photos and opinions are my own.

182 Responses to Kicking Off The New Year In Style: My Office Tour…and a Giveaway!

OMG this article hit so close to home, as an independent contractor for design and photography I too wish to have a badass office of my own one day. But at the moment currently paying my dues, gaining experience and learning through others like yourself on how to be a better, smarter indie artist and entrepreneur. Love the goods from this company!

I’ve spent hours on their site before wandering everywhere! They have such amazing things and I’d definitely be looking for some decor for my home office! I would love some more things to hang on the walls, whether it’s shelving with knick knacks, hanging random bright colored fun things, cat-related decor, and so much more. I’m obsessed!

I’d spend the money on making my home office more creative and inspiring so I can keep creating beautiful things. I’m a Web Designer by trade but love writing, painting and drawing. Working in a space as beautiful as yours would sure help!

Well – thank you for the giveaway!
First, I’d steal that parrot for pens & markers – I’m currently using a broken ceramic owl from west elm – head less owl = creative or macabre?
next, I’d save some $$ for gifting – I’ve gifted items from UG every year since forever b/c everything is just SO cute.
after that? Definitely a clock. In NEED OF CLOCK.

Thank you for this beautiful tour! Every detail of your office space is so inspiring. I work out of a home office for my wedding photography business, so I certainly understand the need for affirmation and inspiration all around you!

I didn’t realize UncommonGoods had such lovely art prints in their shop! I particularly love the Neighborhood Leaf Maps, Many Moons Screenprint, and A History of Existing Life piece.

Liked UncommonGoods & Nubby Twiglet on fb. Already a big fan of your blog for several years & so excited to discover this site … I’m very tempted by the Aquamarine Branch Ring, the Stainless Steel Zipper ring, Tower jewelry holder, and the Steampunk coffee mill.

I just set up my wedding photography business last year after leaving my job in in finance, so I would use the winnings to kit out my studio/ office at home (I LOVE everything in your studio in particular the cockatoo pencil holder!!!) so that it feels like a cool, motivated and inspirational space to get busy in!
I have liked nubby twiglet and and uncommon goods on Facebook!
Thanks!
Julie x

If I won I’d have a really hard time deciding on what to get, because I love so much of what they have to offer. I do know that I’d like to get these Handmade Nesting Baskets – Set of 3, along with some other things.

I just found your blog and oh so lovely is your working space. I also share a working space with my husband and it’s really a good feeling to throw in your own ideas, cause indeed at my full time job it ain’t possible to go all out or even a bit. I’m still working on making our office complete at home as we both have two separate kind of businesses. But thank you for your tour and hopefully i can join the blogacademy. For some reason I really would like to experience it live instead of online. Lets save up as I live far away on an island in the Caribbean.

Nice to meet you!

I'm Shauna, a graphic designer and entrepreneur. I spend my days as the Creative Director of Branch, a boutique design studio. This is my personal blog, which has been going strong since 2007. I'm obsessed with shoes, squirrels and traveling. Read more…

Search

Search for:

Branch

Project Prescription

Very Very V

Questions / Advice

If have a design question or you're itching for advice in your college education or creative career, please drop me a line at: advice@nubbytwiglet.com.

Disclaimer

Nubby Twiglet contains paid advertising and affiliate links. My blog
and posts feature items I genuinely love and sponsorship opportunities
are chosen very carefully. Any items which have been provided for
review are disclosed within posts via a "care of" notation. Sponsored
posts will be noted as such in the credits.